The Rescue that Refused to Give Up
It was a brisk autumn day when Jaclyn Gartner, the founder of Happily Furever After Rescue in Connecticut, stumbled upon a photo that would change the course of one special pup’s life. Scrolling through the endless stream of shelter dogs in need, Jaclyn’s heart stopped as she landed on the soulful eyes of a seven-year-old boxer-pit bull mix named Van Gogh.
His story was one of resilience and survival. A former stray, Van Gogh had been used as bait in a horrific dog fighting ring, leaving his left ear so severely damaged that it had to be surgically removed. Now residing at a shelter in North Carolina, Van Gogh faced an uncertain future – until Jaclyn stepped in.
A Flight to Freedom
Determined to give Van Gogh a second chance, Jaclyn sprang into action. She enlisted the help of the nonprofit Pilots N Paws, arranging for the one-eared pup to be flown to Connecticut on a private plane. As Van Gogh stepped off the plane, Jaclyn was struck by his infectious friendliness. “He was wagging his tail and rubbing up against everybody,” she recalled. “He was so friendly right at the start.”
With Van Gogh safely in Connecticut, Jaclyn set out to find him a forever home. But despite his adorable appearance and charming personality, getting the seven-year-old pooch adopted proved to be a challenge. “Nobody seemed to want the seven-year-old pooch,” Jaclyn lamented. “Not a single application came in. I couldn’t believe it. He was the cutest dog ever.”
A Brush with Destiny
Undeterred, Jaclyn knew she had to get creative to make Van Gogh more appealing to potential adopters. Inspiration struck when she saw TikTok videos of other dogs creating paintings. “I’d seen TikTok videos of other dogs creating paintings, so why not Van Gogh?” Jaclyn mused. “He certainly had the name and the ear for it.”
Jaclyn dotted a blank canvas with different colored paints and placed it inside a plastic bag. She then spread a light layer of peanut butter across the plastic, knowing Van Gogh’s weakness for his favorite treat. As the pooch eagerly lapped at the peanut butter, his tongue traversed the canvas, creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
“He has a fast and creative tongue,” Jaclyn remarked. “It takes more time for us to get the canvas ready for him than it does for Van Gogh to lick off the peanut butter and smear the paint around.”
Within a week, Van Gogh had created enough artwork to have his own art show. On October 23, 2022, Jaclyn held an exhibition to showcase the artist and his work. The two people who attended each bought a $40 painting to benefit Happily Furever After Rescue. But despite the initial success, Van Gogh’s adoption prospects remained dire.
A Viral Sensation
Determined to find her canine Picasso a forever home, Jaclyn took to social media, posting Van Gogh’s heartwarming story on the Happily Furever Facebook page. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Van Gogh’s story went viral, captivating the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.
“His 30 remaining masterpieces sold out almost immediately,” Jaclyn reported, “and dozens more were ordered.” The best part? Local foster volunteer Jessica Starowitz fell in love with the one-eared dog and decided to adopt him, giving Van Gogh the forever home he had been searching for.
A Paw-some Future
Today, Van Gogh continues to create and sell his artwork from the comfort of his permanent home, his story serving as a beacon of hope for other rescued pooches at Happily Furever After Rescue. His resilience, creativity, and undeniable charm have captured the hearts of people around the world, proving that even the most unlikely of pups can find their happily ever after.
As Jaclyn reflects on Van Gogh’s journey, she’s reminded of the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on a pet in need. “He was the cutest dog ever,” she says, “and I’m so glad we were able to find him a loving home.”
For the team at Happily Furever After Rescue, Van Gogh’s story is a testament to the transformative power of love and the unwavering spirit of our four-legged friends. And as they continue to rescue and rehome animals in need, they know that their work is far from done. After all, there are countless more Fur-ever Families waiting to be discovered.
Discover more heartwarming adoption stories at The Pet Rescue
